Hanson Aggregates is one of the largest producers of crushed stone, sand and gravel in the United States, according to its website. The company is a part of the HeidelbergCement Group, a multinational publicly traded company based in Heidelberg, Germany.

"The standard permit limits site-wide maximum production to 300 cubic yards per hour or 6,000 yards per day," TCEQ Permit Reviewer Lisa Martin said. "The applicant represents that each plant may operate up to 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, not to exceed 8,760 hours per year"

More than 25 residents attended the town hall meeting, joined by ranch owner David Dunwoody, who rallied for community support against the plants, as well as two attorneys from Irvine & Conner law firm on behalf of members of the Esperanza Road Protection Association.

The TCEQ and Hanson Aggregates addressed the concerns during an informal discussion period and gave at least 10 residents a chance to share formal complaints, which will be reviewed by TCEQ before a final decision is made for the company to move forward with their plans.

The residents who spoke, including a longtime nurse, raised concerns about cancer issues based on medical experience, a hair salon owner concerned about drinking water contamination, a construction worker regarding stockpile dust and noise, a law enforcement official concerned about traffic safety on the one-lane road where school buses and cattle trailers travel, and some residents who had recently moved to the area for the rural environment.

Arms folded, Willis resident John Lansch was among those who opposed the plants and asked TCEQ to reconsider passing the air-quality permit for "the good of the community."

His property lines the property where the batch plants would be built. He highlighted his concerns about the potential for the plants to disrupt lives and cause health issues for the residents' children, grandchildren and even animals. He highlighted wind as a factor that could cause issues with the dust in the area, which experienced a tornado last year. Lansch expressed disapproval for surveyors allegedly trespassing on his property without informing him of their purpose or requesting permission to be on the property and said the stress from the plants could cause heart attacks.

"… This is very David and Goliath and it is very, very unnerving to be David when you build your home and then somebody comes in and ruins your whole environment," Lansch said.

On more than one occasion, Hanson Aggregates representatives assured the residents they would abide by the laws set forth by TCEQ and be "good neighbors" as a company that saw a need for its products as the Montgomery County population continues to rapidly grow. Hours of operation would be based on the market, according to the representatives.

"We pride ourselves on being a good community steward; in addition, our operating practices are one of which we are extremely environmentally responsible," said Lehigh Hanson South Texas Vice President Steve Geiger. "We are compliant at all times. It's mandated to every employee. It's our culture. If you don't adhere to that way of doing business, you won't be with our company - there's no exceptions."

The TCEQ moderator, Brad Peterson, informed the residents, who provided their email addresses to the governmental entity, that they would receive a response regarding their comments and concerns - which could take up to two months.

Irvine & Conner attorney Mary Conner informed the TCEQ that she plans to request a contested case hearing on behalf of the members of Esperanza Road Protection Association and noted an increased likelihood of litigation moving forward.

"… We will do whatever we can to make sure the applicant is good neighbors here," Conner said. "This is Texas, we are fighters, our community has real fighters in them. The long-term nuisance impacts are going to be real; noise changes how people sleep; traffic can impact safety; pollution can cause asthma and other respiratory affects, and nobody wants this. We really hope the applicant plans to be a good neighbor."